Delaware’s 2020 Teacher of the year is an early childhood educator in the Colonial School District.
Rebecca Vitelli is in her fourth year teaching prekindergarten for the Colonial Early Education Program. She grew up in New York, but went to the University of Delaware for both of her degrees. Her bachelors is in early childhood education; her masters in autism and severe disabilities.
Vitelli says she’s never leaving Colonial School District.
“To be in a district that values early childhood education and loves the work we do and sees it and believes in it—wow—there’s just nothing like it,” said Vitelli. “So I love where I teach and I love what I do.”
Her classrooms are a mixture of students with disabilities and typically developing students.
Vitelli says teaching is not a one size fits all model and developing a relationship with students is the core of learning.
“Safety and security is important—that wires the brain to be able to learn. But when we feel connected, that’s when we’re willing to learn,” she said. “So making those connections and making those relationships is so valuable and getting to know your students and imbedding their interests in your instruction. That’s where you will see the growth that’s where you will see the change, that’s where you will see your students being inspired.”
Vitelli goes on to be Delaware’s candidate for the national teacher of the year award. She will also receive a $5,000 grant for the education benefit of her students. She also receives a $2,000 personal grant.
She won the award in a field of 20 district and charter teachers of the year - each of whom will receive awards.
